Discover Virginia’s Inn at Meander Plantation

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Experience the charm of the Inn at Meander Plantation in Virginia, perfect for travelers seeking history, food, and adventure.

I love the Mid-Atlantic region’s historic lodging options and was thrilled to find the Inn and Tavern at Meander. This historic Colonial-style mansion is located in Madison County and is close to Orange County, one of my favorite areas for food, history, lodging, and hiking. The mansion has seen many famous people over the years. Some well-known folks who lived here or visited are Col. Joshua Fry, Peter Jefferson, William Wirt, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Henry Fry, who took over ownership after his father Joshua died.

For most of the years since being patented in 1726, the property was a plantation. Like many plantations of the day, Meander had enslaved people who raised crops, worked in the kitchen, and performed other duties. The next phase for the property was due to owners Judith and Julia Shearer, who occupied the mansion in the 1900s. The Shearer sisters excelled in breeding horses, cattle, and Whippet dogs.

Meander was purchased in 2017 by a group of families who wanted to turn it into an inn and preserve its history. After extensive renovations, the Inn and Tavern at Meander opened to the delight of those who love to stay in a historic country mansion. The Inn’s rooms are all named after historical men, including Jefferson, Lightfoot, Shearer, and Fry.

A Pet-Friendly Historic Inn

Along with the four guest rooms, there are eight cottages on the property, some pet-friendly. After all, with a history of introducing the Whippet to America and breeding said dogs, it would be ironic not to allow dogs at Meander.

I stayed in the Groom’s Cottage with my dog Sophie. The innkeepers supply a dog basket that includes snacks, bowls, poo pick-up bags, a cover sheet in case you allow your dog on the furniture, and rules of where dogs are allowed. Sophie joined me for dinner on the outdoor porch, which we enjoyed. With 80 acres available for hiking, this is a great place to stay with your dog. The pet fee is only $25 per visit instead of per night. Most lodgings places charge $50 to $100 per night in my travels, making the Inn and Tavern at Meander a new favorite.

The Restaurant at Meander

During my visit in June, the weather was perfect for enjoying their prix fixe dinner (three courses for $64) on the restaurant’s porch. The restaurant’s porch has stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the Blue Ridge Mountains. I had the soup, duck confit, and blueberry cheesecake, which were all delicious.

The wine list featured local favorites Barboursville Vineyards and Early Mountain Vineyards. These vineyards have made me realize that Virginia wines are some of the best wines in the US. Barboursville and Early Mountain are within a 25-minute drive from the inn. Sunsets on the porch are a good time for dinner or just a glass of wine, while the Blue Ridge Mountains are bathed in the setting sun’s orange and yellow light.

Breakfast and Brunch

The outdoor porch was a great place to enjoy breakfast which is included in the price of your stay. You may also enjoy breakfast in your room or the main dining room. Breakfast is served between 8:30 and 10 AM daily, and brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM. The seasonal menu offers locally sourced meat, produce, and fruit that the region is known for.

Activities

Manager Daniel Bushey gave me a walking tour of the grounds. He pointed out the serene-looking Robinson River on the backside of the property. Daniel told me, “We had one family kayak from far upstream and requested to be picked up at the river’s edge.” If you want to engage in kayaking or tubing, consult Daniel to learn about the particulars like water level, best time of year, and safety concerns.

On the morning of my departure from the Inn and Tavern at Meander, I noticed a couple of guests setting up a game of croquet. The Inn has ample lawn space for this fun golf-like game. The main house has board games and a pool table for additional fun.

Bicycling on the pleasant country roads of Madison and Orange Counties will appeal to some guests. There are miles of quiet roads with farms, old plantations, and nature to enjoy. Civil War buffs will be close to Cedar Mountain Battlefield. Some say the famous battle started on the grounds of Meander. Other nearby Civil War sites include Brandy Station Battlefield, Wilderness Battlefield, and the Exchange Hotel and Civil War Museum.

For the Birds

I believe birders would love staying at the Inn at Meander to enjoy the quiet trails and bird watching. The number of wild birds on the Inn’s 80 acres is impressive. Eight types of wild birds serenaded us during one of our walks. I recognized many birds’ songs, but some were new to me, like the Indigo Bunting and Red-eyed Vireo.

The Inn also has several native plants like butterfly weed that draw butterflies to the grounds. Being immersed in nature appeals to more than bird-watching enthusiasts.

Nearby Places to Visit

Not far from the Inn are some of my favorite places to visit. Gordonsville is small but worth the trip if only for the Jackson & Company Market for snacks, picnic supplies, and baked goods. For lunch, don’t miss the fried chicken and other down-home menu items at the Gordonsville Ice House. Gordonsville has a history of excellent fried chicken from the days when railroads were the way to get around. Local ladies would sell fried chicken to train passengers as the train stopped at the town’s station.

Culpeper is a well-preserved historic town with a downtown area with intriguing shops and good restaurants. My wife loves shopping at Pepperberries for knickknacks, home goods, and other eye candy. The Cameleer is a shop with arts and crafts from over 80 countries. Stop in and browse their art, clothing, linens, and more to see why I love this shop.

The Market at Grelen is a nursery, café, pick-your-own-fruit, and gift shop with hiking trails. I like to stop in whenever I have the time, especially in springtime, for plant shopping. They have several miles of hiking trails, one connecting to the trails at James Madison’s Montpelier.

Montpelier is a short drive from Meander. I finally visited Montpelier in 2023 and was impressed with the house tour and the exhibit on enslaved persons called The Mere Distinction of Color. Plan on spending at least one to two hours, and consider including Montpelier with a Barboursville trip as they are close.

Wine Touring

As mentioned above, Virginia wines are some of the best in the US. That’s coming from me, a wine lover who went to culinary school in Sonoma County, CA, and thought the only good US wines were from CA, WA, and OR. The Inn at Meander lists nine wineries in the area for you to consider. I recommend Barboursville Vineyards and Early Mountain for a fabulous lunch with wine. Both Barboursville and Early Mountain have outdoor, pet-friendly seating. Reservations are recommended for lunch or dinner at Barboursville and Early Mountain—some other wineries, like Old House Vineyards, welcome guests to bring a picnic.

Other wineries that may be on your route are Eastwood Farm and Winery near Charlottesville. Athena, the owner, used to be a DC lawyer who gave up her partnership position in the firm to make wine. Both my wife and I loved the wine and the grounds at Eastwood. I haven’t been to DuCard Vineyards, but from what I’ve read, this is a winery to visit for its excellent wine and stunning setting in the foothills below Shenandoah National Park.

Articles Related to Visiting Virginia

Historic Inns of Virginia: A Taste of History
Mid-Atlantic Farm Visits: Good Food and Fun
Ultimate Guide to 2 Days in Charlottesville

Departure

When I am asked about some of my favorite unexpected places on the East Coast, Central Virginia is one of my answers. The Inn at Meander is a great place to stay as you explore the area. The whole experience of staying at Meander left me wanting to return with my wife and dog in the fall, as one stay was not enough. Look no further if you’re looking for a historic inn and tavern in Virginia.

We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder for more of our favorite articles about Virginia and other places in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the US.